Australia’s inability to defend 414 in Perth has left Ricky Pontingconsidering bowling changes for next week’s Boxing Day Test inMelbourne
Brydon Coverdale in Perth21-Dec-2008
Australia could call up Ben Hilfenhaus for the Melbourne Test © Getty Images
Australia’s inability to defend 414 in Perth has left Ricky Pontingconsidering bowling changes for next week’s Boxing Day Test inMelbourne. Mitchell Johnson collected 11 wickets for the match butBrett Lee, Peter Siddle and Jason Krejza managed only one each andtheir lack of penetration allowed South Africa to record thesecond-highest run chase in Test history.”We have to look at that,” Ponting said after the defeat. “We have tothink about the style of bowlers we’ve got in the side at the moment,with the conditions that we’re going to be confronted with inMelbourne and Sydney work out if we think they’re the best guys to winus the next two games. If they’re not then we have to make somechanges.”The left-armer Doug Bollinger, who went on this year’s tours of WestIndies and India, is a chance to be promoted after completing aperfectly-timed six-wickethaul for New South Wales just as Australia lost the Test. Pontingwas also keen to chat with the chairman of selectors Andrew Hilditchabout the Tasmanian swing bowler Ben Hilfenhaus.”Maybe a Hilfenhaus or someone like that who can definitely use a newball,” Ponting said. “I think he’ll come into calculations. Bollingerwill definitely come into calculations because he was so impressivewith all the work he did in India and I believe he’s got wicketstoday. We’ll talk about all those guys.”Neither Siddle nor Lee produced any swing of note and it left tooheavy a burden on the dangerous Johnson. Lee was also down on pace,although he is not in immediate danger and has credits in the bank forhis 310 Test wickets, including nine against New Zealand in Adelaidethis month.”He’ll be in the squad,” Ponting said. “There’s no doubt he’s under alittle bit of pressure at the moment. I think if you asked him he’dprobably be a little bit disappointed with only taking one wicket thisweek as well. I’m sure he’ll be in the squad.”